The CEPF program focus is based on the need to abate proximate threats to biodiversity and their root causes in the Caucasus hotspot. Within the ecosystem profile, five target corridors of the 10 total corridors (corridor outcomes) have been delineated to conserve globally threatened species (species outcomes) and their major habitats (site outcomes). Government institutions and civil society are active in conservation in the region, but often lack the capacity to implement environmental programs. CEPF can build on their existing programs to further biodiversity conservation, in particular, through increasing transboundary cooperation, strengthening existing protected areas systems, strengthening mechanisms for biodiversity conservation, promoting sustainable resource use and increasing awareness and commitment of decisionmakers for biodiversity conservation in the region.
Four strategic directions for the CEPF investment strategy were developed based on the conclusions of this rapid assessment and elaboration of the CEPF niche. Funding gaps and opportunities were explored to find ways that CEPF could complement existing efforts and increase the overall effectiveness of conservation activities. The CEPF strategic directions and investment priorities are outlined in Table 4 and described in detail below. Priority investment areas were determined within each of the strategic directions. While elaborating specific projects for implementation was not the goal of this profile, ideas, examples and focal areas for investment, as well as indication of which corridors have the greatest potential or require the most assistance for each component, are provided. Appendix 5 depicts proposed inputs and outputs for the four strategic directions, as well as indicators, means of verification and assumptions for project success.
Table 4. CEPF strategic directions and investment priorities in the Caucasus hotspot
| CEPF Strategic Directions |
CEPF Investment Priorities |
| 1. Support civil society efforts to promote transboundary cooperation and improve protected area systems in five target corridors |
1.1 Promote transboundary cooperation by carrying out joint initiatives and harmonizing existing projects to conserve border ecosystems and species and site outcomes |
| 1.2 Support existing efforts to create new protected areas and wildlife corridors through planning processes and co-financing efforts |
| 1.3 Develop and implement management plans for model protected areas with broad participation of stakeholders |
| 2. Strengthen mechanisms to conserve biodiversity of the Caucasus hotspot with emphasis on species, site and corridor outcomes |
2.1 Provide funding for research and implementation of the Caucasus Red List re-assessments, particularly for poorly represented taxas such as plants, invertebrates, reptiles and fish |
| 2.2 Under one CEPF/Small Grant mechanism, focus small grant efforts on supporting efforts to conserve 50 globally threatened species in the hotspot |
| 2.3 Provide support to conservation agencies specifically to improve implementation of international conventions such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands |
| 3. Implement models demonstrating sustainable resource use in five target corridors |
3.1 Evaluate and implement models for sustainable forestry, water use and range management |
| 3.2 Under one CEPF/Small Grant mechanism, focus small grant efforts on supporting existing NGOs to undertake projects focused on developing alternative livelihoods, such as ecotourism, collection of non-timber forest products and sustainable hunting and fishing |
| 3.3 Support civil society efforts to mitigate, participate in and monitor development projects |
| 4. Increase the awareness and commitment of decisionmakers to biodiversity conservation in five target corridors |
4.1 Develop local capacity to train environmental journalists and develop incentives to write on environmental issues, targeting decisionmakers in particular |
| 4.2 Develop a communications campaign to increase environmental awareness in the Caucasus hotspot |
Each of the five target corridors in the Caucasus hotspot extends across borders of two or more countries. The ranges of globally threatened species cross political borders. Illegal logging, wildlife trade, pollution and other issues also have transboundary implications. Thus, transboundary cooperation will be a key component of ensuring long-term biodiversity conservation in the Caucasus. Projects promoting transboundary cooperation are relatively inexpensive but have far-reaching effects. Civil society, such as NGOs and scientific institutions, has the expertise and organizational capacity to ensure that transboundary initiatives are successful and effective over the long-term.
Many transboundary issues related to biodiversity conservation can be resolved through establishing transboundary protected areas and enhancing existing protected areas systems. Protected areas are the foundation for biodiversity conservation in the Caucasus hotspot, helping to safeguard globally threatened species, local endemics and unique habitats. Certain corridors of the Caucasus hotspot have well-developed systems of protected areas, while others have none. Limited CEPF funding could be used to support civil society in realizing existing state programs for creating transboundary protected areas, planning and expanding protected areas systems and establishing wildlife corridors to ensure connectivity of existing protected areas - by linking reserves into ecological networks of protected areas (Econets). Civil society can also work to improve protected area management by assisting in elaborating management plans for model areas and training protected areas staff in development and implementation of management priorities.
Recommendations for engaging civil society in these areas include:
1.1 Promote transboundary cooperation by carrying out joint initiatives and harmonizing existing projects to conserve border ecosystems and species and site outcomes: assess existing programs and implement new strategies and projects relevant to species and site outcomes; promote cooperation on halting illegal logging and export/import of timber and wildlife; organize exchanges across borders between protected areas, NGOs, institutes and universities and governmental agencies; conduct international conferences and meetings on transboundary cooperation.
1.2. Support existing efforts to create new protected areas and wildlife corridors through planning, co-financing and other points: involve civil society in protected area planning and expansion of protected areas systems; support establishment of transboundary protected areas where border reserves already exist (a transboundary protected area is proposed in the Greater Caucasus Corridor on the borders of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Russia and other opportunities may arise); use civil society expertise to elaborate proposals to create multiple use corridors and sanctuaries in site outcomes or to connect existing reserves into Econets where management capacity already exists; develop new types of management categories for linking areas where necessary (nature parks, wildlife corridors, etc.).
1.3. Develop and implement management plans for model protected areas with broad participation of stakeholders in five target corridors: engage expertise of civil society in elaboration of management plans for transboundary protected areas, key nature reserves and site outcomes to serve as models for other reserves; involve local communities, decisionmakers, businesses and other stakeholders in the planning process; provide grants for technical assistance to implement priority aspects of management plans; improve infrastructure and provide incentives to staff in model areas.
Endangered species are the first elements of biodiversity to disappear as ecosystems and natural conditions are altered. Thus, effective conservation planning requires up-to-date information on the status of threatened species and the habitats on which they depend. Species in the IUCN Red List are generally granted special attention within government and NGO conservation programs. IUCN species are subject to regulations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and other conventions. Therefore it is extremely important that the IUCN Red List accurately reflect the current situation in the Caucasus hotspot. At present, the IUCN Red List has some gaps and inaccuracies, especially where the range and status of certain species are concerned. Scientific institutions, NGOs and protected areas should be enlisted to help update the IUCN Red List and determine whether there are other globally threatened species (species outcomes) in the hotspot. For certain species, rapid scientific surveys will need to be carried out. GIS tools will be used to map threatened species and determine their current level of protection. Small grants aimed at protecting globally threatened species will enable civil society and other institutions, such as protected areas, to elaborate and implement effective species conservation programs. Investments into species conservation should encompass all 10 corridors in order to ensure conservation of the 50 globally threatened species and their habitats.
International conventions on biodiversity, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), CITES and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, require member countries to provide adequate levels of protection to endangered species, ecosystems and biodiversity overall. While the six countries in the Caucasus hotspot have signed the majority of conventions related to biodiversity, most lack the means to implement them. Often officials responsible for convention implementation lack the necessary know-how to ensure their country is in compliance with convention regulations. Training programs for conservation agencies and responsible officials are needed to create capacity to implement the biodiversity conventions. CEPF could also boost the effectiveness of government efforts by assisting civil society to implement projects related to the conventions in cooperation with conservation agencies.
Examples of programs to enhance mechanisms for biodiversity conservation are:
2.1 Provide funding for research and implementation of the Caucasus Red List re-assessments, particularly for poorly represented taxas such as plants, invertebrates, reptiles and fish. Involve civil society—NGOs, scientific institutions, scientists in protected areas—in rapid scientific surveys for certain globally threatened species and other species which should be listed; assess the current state and range of listed and potential species; make recommendations to IUCN to update the Red List for the Caucasus hotspot.
2.2. Under one CEPF Small Grants umbrella, establish a small grants program to support efforts to conserve 50 globally threatened species in the hotpot: create a mechanism to distribute small grants; solicit proposals for conserving globally threatened species from the conservation community; provide small grants to NGOs, scientific institutions, protected areas and individuals to support research and conservation projects on threatened species. Projects might include enlisting support of local communities in conserving endangered species, elaborating and implementing species conservation strategies; monitoring endangered species, determining causes for population decline, setting up a sanctuary or corridor to conserve important habitats for threatened species, or combating poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
2.3. Provide support to conservation agencies specifically to improve implementation of international conventions such as CBD, CITES and Ramsar: support civil society in organizing training programs for government officials charged with implementation of conventions on biodiversity; develop and distribute informational materials for conservation agencies on international conventions; support preparation and submission of reports on biodiversity and other necessary background materials as required by international conventions; assess ways that civil society can complement government efforts in implementing conventions and provide appropriate support.
In order to reduce poaching, overgrazing, overfishing and unsustainable fuel wood collection, new models of sustainable resource use need to be developed in corridors where pressures are greatest. Ways to generate income for local communities need to be developed in order to make them less dependent on natural resources. Examples of alternative income generation include ecotourism, sustainable collection and sale of medicinal plants and other non-timber forest products and sustainable hunting and fishing. NGOs and other civil institutions can work with local communities to develop capacity for alternative livelihoods. Sustainable resource use also entails reducing the impacts of development on the environment and biodiversity. Civil society can play an important role in monitoring these impacts and providing objective information on pressing conservation issues.
Investments to demonstrate sustainable resource use might include:
3.1. Evaluate and implement models for sustainable forestry, water use and range management: identify communities within the five corridors that have the desire to participate in model projects; build capacity in these model communities through training and technical support; elaborate guidelines for sustainable resource use and implement in model areas. The Greater Caucasus, West Lesser Caucasus and Hyrcan corridors have the best potential for sustainable forestry projects. The East Lesser Caucasus Corridor offers the best potential for sustainable range management projects.
3.2. Under one CEPF/Small Grants mechanism, establish a small grants program to support existing NGOs to undertake projects focused on developing alternative livelihoods, such as ecotourism, collection of non-timber forest products and sustainable hunting and fishing: create mechanism for distributing small grants in the region; solicit proposals from the conservation community for projects; provide small grants to NGOs, scientific institutions, protected areas and individuals on building capacity for ecotourism and other projects in model communities, providing training and technical support for sustainable resource use, establishing zones and management guidelines to encourage sustainable resource use and marketing and distribution of sustainably-harvested products and services. Projects within the five target corridors should be selected for funding based on available expertise and capacity, economic factors and threats to biodiversity.
3.3. Support civil society efforts to mitigate, participate in and monitor development projects: create capacity of NGOs and the scientific community to assess and mitigate impacts of large development projects such as the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline, dams in the Chorokh River valley, pollution of waterways from oil extraction, etc.; develop model project on monitoring illegal logging and timber export/import; build capacity to assess threatened fish populations and impact establishment of catch limits and other projects.
An awareness campaign to build support of decisionmakers and the general public for conservation programs should be carried out on the community, regional, national and transboundary levels. An assessment of current awareness levels should be carried out to provide a basis by which to measure success. Programs should be based on the institutional capacity of existing NGOs and other parts of civil society (universities, media, etc.).
Specific activities might include:
4.1. Build local capacity to train environmental journalists (in print, television and radio) and develop incentives to write on environmental issues, targeting decisionmakers in particular: work with NGOs to develop seminars and training workshops for environmental reporters, especially representatives of local newspapers and television in corridor areas and target sites; organize contests and provide other incentives for environmental reporting.
4.2. Develop a communications campaign to increase environmental awareness in the Caucasus hotspot: develop a strategy in concert with environmental NGOs and conservation agencies on building awareness of important conservation issues in the region, including transboundary issues; provide support for implementation of key components of the communications strategy. Investment areas might include: working with the mass media (TV, radio and print) in the target corridors to increase environmental content of reporting; assisting conservation NGOs in hiring and training communications officers to work with the press; supporting environmental information clearinghouses in existing NGOs to provide accessible information and photo and film archives for the mass media; and supporting production of films and clips for news broadcasts on conservation issues for television.
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